“The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” ~ Proverbs 20:27 

We often hear people say things like, “You don’t know what’s in my heart! That’s between me and God!” While there is a measure of truth to that, it does not tell the whole truth. Proverbs 20:27 lets us in on a little secret. Our “spirit” gives us away! The word ‘spirit’ refers to our attitude, disposition, or mindset. In that sense, our spirit reveals what is really on the inside of us. 

In Luke 9, when a Samaritan village refused to allow Jesus to pass through their streets, James and John asked if they could call down fire from heaven and burn those Samaritans up! Jesus quickly silenced them with the words, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of!” Their mindset of revenge and anger was contrary to the mind of Christ. Their bad spirit gave them away! 

Paul encouraged Timothy by reminding him that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind.” A spirit of fear betrays our lack of faith, for those two things cannot co-exist! 

What does our ‘spirit’ tell others about us? Does it convey trust, hope, peace, love, faith, grace, meekness, and kindness? Or does it reveal spite, selfishness, anger, bitterness, fear, and envy? 

 Paul closed his letter to the Galatians with a prayerful statement: “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” This would be a good thing to add to our personal prayer list! 

Pastor Bish